A naming ceremony was held in Nagasaki at the Koyagi Shipyard of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding for a new very large gas carrier that NYK will charter under a long-term contract to Astomos Energy Corporation.NYK will continue to expand its LPG fleet and strengthen its LPG transportation service, in addition to reinforcing the close relationship that NYK and Astomos have shared for so many years, said a company statement.At the ceremony, the ship was named Laurel Prime by Seiya Araki, president of Astomos Energy Corporation, and the ceremonial rope holding the vessel in place was cut by Mr Araki's wife. Hitoshi Nagasawa, NYK representative director and executive vice-president corporate officer, attended together with others from the company.NYK has traditionally given LPG carriers two-word names that begin with the letters "L" and "P" respectively. This ship was named Laurel Prime with the wish that it will represent superior achievement and honour, the meaning of the word, recognising that laurels have often been used to crown victors.